From Bliss to Blahs: Navigating Post-Vacation Depression with Ease

For some of us, travelling is a part of our DNA. We are wanderers who are happiest exploring new landsand experiencing new environments. But when we get home, those feelings of euphoria can be quick to crash. This is a phenomenon known as post-vacation depression.

Post-vacation depression: is it real?

Post-vacation depression is also known as post-vacation syndrome or post-vacation blues. It can occur after any vacation or holiday period but particularly after lengthier holidays. If you travel for a few months or years (!), there can be a real adjustment going back to everyday life, which can result in feeling depressed after travelling.

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Why do I feel so bad after coming back from vacation?

Getting back from a vacation, it’s common to experience an emotional crash. After all, on holiday our daily routines are all out of whack. We are either waking up at the crack of dawn to witness the sunrise at the Taj Mahal, or we’re lazing in bed until our growling stomachs force us to breakfast. We could have an afternoon nap or we could stay up all night to watch the Northern Lights.

When you return home, you’re expected to snap back immediately into your usual work-day routine. This can be a difficult adjustment for both body and mind. 

And we haven’t even mentioned the responsibilities. 

On holiday we only need to worry about where we want to eat lunch and how much of our budget we want to spend shopping. At home we have to remember to feed the dogs, take out the trash and pay our taxes. 

Post-travel blues are real, though not experienced by everyone, or after every trip. They are usually caused by a dissatisfaction with your everyday life, or stress or burnout. 

What is post-travel depression?

The post-holiday blues are an overwhelming feeling of sadness. You can feel:

• anxious
• stressed
• unmotivated
• unable to focus, and
• irritable. 

How long does it take to feel normal after vacation?

Post-travel depression is a short-term period of depression. It lasts a few days or maybe a week or two. If you find you are still feeling down after a few weeks then it’s a good idea to see your doctor or mental health professional who can identify if there is an underlying condition.

How can you deal with post-vacation depression?

Post-vacation blues should fade naturally over a few days. But there some things you can do to mitigate the anxiety and stress you may feel at this time. 

Be organised before you leave for your trip. This will reduce the anxiety of anticipating stressful matters on your return. 

Give yourself a few days to recover. Return from your holiday a few days before you need to go back to work or school. This helps you ease into your routine. 

Look after yourself. Resist the urge to party the days and nights away with the friends you haven’t seen for a while. Get good rest, exercise and eat well. 

Be a tourist in your own city. Post-vacation blues are often the result of getting accustomed to experiencing new things every day. When you come home, it’s like nothing has changed. Everything is the same old, same old. Venture out into your own city to discover hidden gems you’ve never seen before. 

Plan your next trip. Hold on to those feelings of excitement by doing research on your next adventure. 

Become a TEFL teacher. Becoming TEFL-qualified gives you a certificate which allows you to teach all over the world. TEFL teachers travel regularly when they have time off to explore their new homes. And because they are living in a foreign city, every day is an opportunity to discover somewhere new. Even if you teach English online, you can travel to your heart’s content – and work at the same time. So even when you’re back home visiting the fam, you can still be doing your job and making money!

Read more: 13 Different TEFL Jobs For TEFL Teachers